The American Airlines DC-3, like all American Airliners were flagships. They heralded their arrival at an airport by the copilot inserting a flagstaff bearing an American Airlines flag into a socket just outside the window immediately after landing. The arrival or departure of an American Airliner was never a humdrum event—it took place with flag flying.

OshKosh just offers so many opportunities to photograph beautiful airplanes like the Douglas DC-3. On this particular day, the weather was not cooperating with mostly grey skies. Occasionally, there was a break to get a few images with clouds. American Airlines, like many other airlines and air cargo carriers, used DC-3s for many years. It was the first really popular and economical airliner. In fact, DC-3s are still in service today used mostly for cargo.

Photog’s Weather

Monday

Partly Cloudy

High 49°/Low 26°

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Tuesday

Mostly Cloudy

High 40°/Low 26°

0%

Wednesday

Overcast

High 42°/Low 23°

0%

Thursday

Clear

High 49°/Low 28°

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It is the mark of an instructed mind to rest satisfied with the degree of precision which the nature of the subject admits and not to seek exactness when only an approximation of the truth is possible. - Aristotle -